Learning Outcomes

BS in Parks and Recreation Management

Accreditation Standard: Foundations 7.01

Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate the following entry-level knowledge: a) the nature and scope of the relevant park, recreation, tourism or related professions and their associated industries; b) techniques and processes used by professionals and workers in these industries; and c) the foundation of the profession in history, science and philosophy. The PRM program expects to accomplish these outcomes in the following ways:

Students will be able to articulate the values found in core philosophical concepts as they relate to Parks and Recreation Management by writing a personal and professional philosophy essay.

The students will demonstrate critical thought on the history of Parks and Recreation Management by writing a historical profile essay.

The students will be able to identify the structural organization of all branches of Parks and Recreation service systems as measured by a leisure service inventory assignment.

The student will be able to define the core structural components of professional associations and their value within the field of Parks and Recreation Management by completing a professional association review and an association website review.

Students will demonstrate competence in qualitative research in Parks and Recreation Management by completing a personal values report assignment that interviews different demographics and their views on recreation in their lives.

The Students will demonstrate the ability to write in APA style by completing an APA structural components assignment in addition to writing 4 APA essays.

Accreditation Standard: Provisions Of Services and Experiences 7.02

Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate the ability to design, implement, and evaluate services that facilitate targeted human experiences and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity. The PRM program expects to accomplish these outcomes in the following ways:

The students will network and collaborate with a recreation professional in their respective community who is working to deliver leisure/recreational programming and will gain valuable experience in observing and implementation of an established program, event, or activity; and through a critical review/reporting process reflecting on details of the program, event, or activity that they have assisted in.

The students willwork collaboratively in small groups to develop a comprehensive Recreation Program Plan proposal where they can integrate their personal creativity with the theoretical concepts of program design elements into a synthesized workable professional-level program proposal.

The students will design an inclusion plan for a recreation agency or program to include people with disabilities including a general introduction, and demonstrate application of physical integration, social integration, right to self-determination and age appropriate experiences.

The students will demonstrate and apply knowledge of Americans with Disabilities Act and Universal Design by choosing and evaluating a business or public building/facility for accessibility using the accessibility survey provided and complete a reflective summary of their findings.

Accreditation Standard: Management and Administration 7.03

Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate the ability to design, implement, and evaluate services that facilitate targeted human experiences and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity. The PRM program expects to accomplish these outcomes in the following ways:

The students will become familiar with the differences between municipal, non-profit and commercial recreation agencies and then develop a staffing plan/ organizational chart for a municipal recreation center.

The students will become familiar with a variety of management planning techniques and then develop a set of goals (5) and objectives (10) addressing staffing, budgeting, marketing for a municipal recreation center.

The students will become familiar with municipal financing and budgeting concepts and methods. Then, students will develop a monthly line item budget and a capital budget for a municipal recreation center and a commercial recreation business.

Accreditation Standard: Professional Internship 7.04

Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate, through a comprehensive internship of not less than 400 clock hours and no fewer than 10 weeks, the potential to succeed as professionals at supervisory or higher levels in park, recreation, tourism, or related organizations. The PRM program expects to accomplish these outcomes in the following ways:

The students will develop a professional cover letter and resume with reference list and to be used for a mock interview and internship application.

The students will practice professional interviewing skills by participating in a mock interview with a current recreation/leisure professional in the field.

The students will obtain professional skills and job specific experiences related to the Parks and Recreation Management profession through participation in an Internship of 600 clock hours in a high quality work setting.

The students will develop and expand their affiliation and networking skills with professionals in the field through participation in an Internship of 600 clock hours in a high quality work setting.

PRM Emphases

Community, Commercial & Tourism Emphasis

GSP 276 - Planning For Sustainable TourismDescription: Issues and methods in planning for tourism development from a sustainability perspective.

OR

PRM 300 - EcotourismDescription: Course will introduce students to the history, concepts, principles, marketing, planning and management of ecotourism activities and development which promote cultural and environmental awareness and local economic benefits with an emphasis on non-western cultures.

ACC 255 - Principles of Accounting: FinancialDescription: Introduces theory and practice in the preparation, analysis, and interpretation of general purpose financial statements for external users.

PRM 350 - Cultural RecreationDescription: This course will introduce information about cultural differences, values and expectations of human development, leadership, and organization, and cultural awareness in programming sports, language and aging in the United States.

Describe the fundamental concepts and principles of ecotourism and sustainable development as it relates to transportation, lodging and cultural impacts.

Use accounting and budgeting practices to prepare, analyze and interpret financial statements

Respond to budgetary constraints while achieving the positive guest outcomes

Develop, use and evaluate appropriate and effective strategies to address cultural differences, values and expectations in the planning and implementation of recreation programming.

Plan, design and operate recreation facilities and adjoining areas to increase tourism, commercial, and community benefits

Design programming in a manner that best promotes cultural and environmental awareness.

Park Protection Emphasis

PRM 216 - Wilderness First ResponderDescription: Eighty-hour national curriculum leading to three-year certification as a wilderness first responder. Specific skills and techniques for outdoor emergencies in backcountry and remote settings.

Develop and apply wilderness first responder techniques in response to medical and outdoor emergencies in backcountry and other remote settings (includes a three-year Wilderness First Responder Certification).

Articulate the functions of park operations, management and protection in the United States in terms of its historical roots, structure, and contemporary issues.

PRM 431 - Outdoor Leadership Certification IIDescription: Second of a two-course series to train outdoor leaders who may then earn a Certificate of Outdoor Leadership through NAU. Advanced outdoor "leadership theories," outdoor pursuit planning and administration.

PRM 331: Outdoor Leader Certification 1 – Students will be able to implement the basic hard and soft skills necessary to competently lead others in outdoor environments of the Southwest with a focus on canyon terrain. (As measured by a six-day final field evaluation).

PRM 411: Leave No Trace Master Educator - Upon successful completion, students will be nationally certified to lead Leave No Trace Trainer Courses and Awareness Workshops within the standards of the Leave No Trace Master Educator certification. This is demonstrated by students’ ability to deliver the seven Leave No Trace Principles in accordance with the LNT Center for Outdoor Ethics. (As measured by LNT National Certification Standards).

PRM 431: Outdoor Leader Certification 2 – Upon completion of a two week field experience, students will meet expectations of developing a personal signature leadership style that is situationally appropriate for effectively leading others in a backcountry setting. (As measured by a seventeen-day final field evaluation).

PRM 452: Outdoor Program Administration – Students will be able to complete an in-depth case study of an outdoor non-profit organization and/or for-profit company of their choosing. (As measured by PRM 452 Case Study Assignments).